Skansie Brothers Park, Downtown Gig Harbor

This two-day event features competitive racing for the expert and novice as well as youth paddlers. On shore hosts a complete expo with the industry’s top manufacturers, clubs, retailers, non-profit organizations and more. Proceeds from the Paddlers Cup benefit the Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team.

Day One: Saturday, April 11, 2015

The Harbor Challenge is a full day of racing inside the harbor. 100m and 200m sprints and distance races of 10k and 5k for competitive and recreational paddlers will take place. Click here to register.

Rockin’ Paddle Gig

After the Harbor Challenge be sure to attend the Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Race Team’s benefit party and auction, Rockin’ Paddle Gig, Saturday evening from 6:00 to 9:00pm at the Harbor History Museum. There will be appetizers, dinner, and beverages for both youth and adults along with a short presentation, live music and some great items up for auction. Advanced tickets for the event are $22 for adults and $15 for youth ($27 / $17 at the door).

Day Two: Sunday, April 12, 2015

Before there were steamboats, ferries and bridges, just how did everyone get to town? They rowed. The Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup celebrates this important part of our Peninsula’s history with the return of the Heritage Row, now renamed the Heritage Classic.

Paddlers will start at Jerisich dock and paddle across the Narrow’s to Owen’s Beach at Pt. Defiance and back. The route is approximately six miles round trip. Top finishers will receive prizes.

The Heritage Classic is also part of the NEW Seafair NW Paddleboard Series. Top amateur and pro finishing paddle boarders will qualify to compete on the hydroplane course at Seafair in August of 2015. More information about the Seafair NW Paddleboard Series will be coming soon.

Heritage Classic is open to anyone using an approved human-powered craft, such as a canoe, kayak, rowboat, scull or paddle board. Click here to register.

Unleash the “Harbor Dragon”!

The Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup is excited to announce the addition of Corporate Dragon Boat Races to the event this year! The Corporate Dragon Boat Races are open to corporations, public service groups, and clubs sponsored by small businesses and high schools. Participants of any level of fitness can quickly adapt to and develop a passion for this sport. Boats will be provided by the Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup.

Registration deadline: March 31, 2015

$750 per team (20 seats)

Event T-shirt, medals and a Grand Champion Traveling Trophy will be awarded.

Professional lessons, steer person and drummer will be provided on race day.

Each crew must have 20 paddlers (steer person and drummer are extra). Gig Harbor Canoe & Racing Team athletes will be available to populate seats if requested. Athletes are available on a first come, first serve basis.

If you are having a “mix” of paddlers (both male and female) you must have at least 8 female paddlers.

Training Clinics

Communication leading up to the event will be through the Team Captain. The training clinic will take place on Sunday, prior to the event. It’s important to have the entire team attend the training clinic so that everyone is hearing the same information and expectations around their participation. Clinics will be approximately 45 minutes and include on land and water training.